Andrew Buher, 28

COO, Department of Education, NYC

In charge of a $25 billion budget serving 1.1 million students, by far the largest of any school system in America. Buher, who has a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, considers this an achievement as well as a challenge, saying, "The future of education is dependent upon our admitting that the very concept of an all-powerful school system is an outdated model that hinders student learning instead of enhancing it."